Really good T-Bucket kits are based on a really good T-Bucket chassis. Because if the chassis is weak, undependable or just won’t track and handle well then the rest of the T-Bucket kits is wasted. You don’t want to invest a lot of money as well as your time in a kit where the end product is something you’re frustrated by or not proud of.

New Revised Digital Edition Now Available

The California Custom RoadstersT-Bucket Chassis Plans are for scratch building the famous Bill Keifer Chassis, the most practical chassis for show and go for almost 40 years.

Most chassis builders in the T-Bucket kits industry have patterned their frames and front end design after CCR’s ’15-’25 “T” Chassis. This chassis has been proven and debugged through decades of production and use on hundreds of top cars that were built from CCR T-Bucket kits, were turnkey CCR T-Buckets, or built by home builders using these plans.

The CCR chassis plans are for 1915-1923 style T-Bucket kits or any compatible design of custom car (such as Austin Bantam, Fiat Topolino, etc.) And it’s set up for use with any Chevy V8 (283-454) with either a conventional or Jaguar rearend.

The New Revised Digital Edition CCR T-Bucket Plans are now made up of 6 Unique Plan Sets:

SET 1 — BUILDING FRAME & ATTACHING PARTS

SET 2 — FRONT END

SET 3 — MOUNTING THE JAGUAR REAREND

SET 4 — MOUNTING A CONVENTIONAL REAREND

SET 5 — STEERING AND MOTOR MOUNTS

SET 6 — New Addition: MOUNTING COIL OVER SHOCKS

The California Custom Roadsters Plan Sets also include:

full-size patterns

perspective drawings

critical dimensions

detailed step-by-step instructions

You get everything you need to know for building your own chassis for your own T-Bucket kit.
The smallest details are covered:

various ways to do cutting

where and when to make welds

set-ups for front end angles

Everything is carefully worked out from the knowledge CCR has gained during many years of producing this popular chassis.
The data is clearly detailed for those who are new to car building and modifying.
The professional builder will find new techniques, short cuts and layouts to apply to his current building and production skills.

The distinctive look of a California Custom Roadsters T-Bucket front end

The expensive part of chassis and T-Bucket kits building is the labor. By doing the labor yourself, you can build a top quality custom car for a much lower cost.

The 6 Plan Sets will show you how to build your chassis in separate steps.
Because the material costs are just a small fraction of the value of the finished parts, you should be able to cash out anywhere during the construction process, if for some reason you are unable to complete the project.

If you want to replace the steering, front end or some other portion of any existing T-Bucket kits then you can just refer to the Plan Set that applies.

These plans are for CCR’s standard production chassis used for over 40 years in thousands of T-Bucket kits and complete cars built by CCR and hundreds of home builders..Innovative scratch builders can alter the dimensions to suit their special projects.

Good T-Bucket kits can be built relatively inexpensively or you can spend mega bucks.What makes a good rod is not the amount of money you spend, but the quality of workmanship, and the overall sense of designwhich is built into the car at each step of construction.

Proven reliable over 4 decades in thousands of T-Bucket kits and complete cars

California Custom Roadsters has built probably more T-bucket roadsters than just about anyone in the industry.

With their sneaky-look, raked tops, and trick CCR accessories, these cars are consistent trophy winners.

With a Chevy 283 or 454 engine set back for better bite, some Indy-style tires and a curb weight of only 1600 to 1800 lbs., these cars have outstanding performance (a stock Corvette with 454 engine weighs close to 3500 lbs.)

Many T-Bucket kits and scratch builders aren’t that interested in hot performance and build quiet, conservative cars with small engines.

When you use CCR’s data to build or modify these cars, you’ll know that the set-ups have been well engineered and proven over many years of street rod building experience.

CCR’s 1915 – ’25 “T” Chassis became a production item in 1967.
Changes have been made from time to time when experience showed the possibilities for improvement in production or street performance.

Bill Kestener’s CCR T-Bucket as featured in “Street Rodder” and “Kit Car” magazines

The chassis has been used on hundreds and hundreds of T-Bucket kits and cars combining top performance and great looks.

The chassis has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. The bare frame weighs about 133 lbs.

It is relatively easy and economical to build in comparison to the more complex, trusswork type chassis, or to a monocoque body/chassis layout.

The round front cross-member adds greater anti-twist strength to the chassis, it’s easy to assemble, and has a clean, simple look.

The frame rails kick up at the rear to keep the car lower to the ground.

The plan sets are for CCR’s standard production chassis used in their T-Bucket kits and complete cars. When building a non-standardized car and altering CCR’s dimensions, it’s important to obtain your wheels, tires, engine, body, etc., before starting to build. Then use the actual parts to check fits, clearances, and workability of your layout. It’s easier to make the changes before starting than it is after everything has been finish welded together.

CCR’s “ole reliable” front end has been used for years on midget racers and sprint cars. It looks real good on show cars and boulevard cruisers. It’s economical, good running, easy to build and maintain. When used with lightweight wheels and tires, your unsprung weight is low, even though it’s not an independent front suspension.

Motorcycle wheels are available that will fit the ’37 – ’48 Ford spindles. Or you can use heavier wheels and tires like on a track roadster. The long radius rods impart a minimum change in caster and twist to the front springs. This helps the car run smooth and true, without constant maintenance.

CCR’s Jaguar rearend installation is very popular; the inboard disk brakes and independent suspension really make the car handle nicely. The weight is at the center line of the car and there’s a minimum of unsprung weight. It also looks really neat to see those rear axles and U-joints turning as the car leaves the scene.

CCR’s conventional rearend set-up is also an excellent way to go. It’s much less expensive than the Jag, and it’s easier to set up the low pressure hydraulics for the drum brakes. With transverse leaf springs modified to 1 3/4″ wide, and CCR’s installation details, you can have a very neat, good running, and low cost rearend.

CCR modifies Corvair units for their steering system, because they look good, they’re lightweight, low-cost, and parts are easy to get (over one million Corvairs were sold). You don’t have to notch the body of the car or make holes in the side. Everything runs parallel to the frame. There is good leg room to get in and out of the car.

CCR’s motor mount system is simple, and it works well. Throughout the plan sets, full size patterns and step-by-step procedures clearly show the techniques for building or modifying your car.

After you have fabricated your parts and assembled them all together they should look like the completed chassis pictured here. This is exactly the same top quality chassis that CCR manufactures in its shop for their T-Bucket kits and complete cars. Work carefully and in no time you will have a rugged chassis that has been developed and perfected through years of street rodding experience. This chassis is engineered to work right, to be trouble free and to give you the ride you want.

This new digital edition of the California Custom Roadsters T-Bucket Chassis Plans also includes the CCR part numbers for most all of the brackets and parts welded and attached to the frame and axles. That way, the home builder can choose what’s best: to either fabricate the part or have CCR provide it.

In addition, we’ve included a copy of the latest CCR T-Bucket brochure and directions on how to properly print full-size parts templates on your home printer.

Since the mid 1970s the CCR Plan Sets have sold for $5 each or $20 for all 5 Plan Sets. Now, through special arrangement with CCR, you can get all 6 Plan Sets in this new digital edition for only $14.99. Even if you have the old printed plans, it’s worth it for the parts information and new Coil-Over Rear Suspension Plan Set.